Capitol View: November 12, 2008 Archive

Ritchie names canvassing board/recount times

Posted at 4:38 PM on November 12, 2008 by Tom Scheck

Here's the release:

STATE CANVASSING BOARD ANNOUNCED

Partial List of Recount Locations Released

SAINT PAUL, Minn.-Nov. 12, 2008―Minnesota Secretary of State Mark Ritchie today announced the members of the State Canvassing Board. By Minnesota law, representation must include two Minnesota Supreme Court justices, two district court judges and the board is chaired by the Secretary of State. Canvass board members named are Minnesota Supreme Court Chief Justice Eric J. Magnuson and Justice G. Barry Anderson. Chief Judge Kathleen R. Gearin and Assistant Chief Judge Edward J. Cleary have also been tapped from the Second Judicial District to serve on the board. Ritchie made his selections based upon recommendations made by Chief Justice Magnuson and Chief Judge Gearin.

The board will convene at 1 p.m. on Tuesday, Nov. 18 in room 10 of the State Office Building. At that time, a formal pronouncement of a statewide recount of nearly 3 million ballots is expected in the U.S. Senate race, as well as two state house races and one in the state Senate.

A list of 74 recount sites also was released, with locations provided for nearly half of the state's counties. A complete listing of sites is expected in the next several days. The recount will begin on Nov. 19.

"I thank the justices and judges for their service to this state and to this historic State Canvassing Board," said Ritchie. "I appreciate their leadership during this recount process that will ensure that Minnesota's proud tradition of free and fair elections continues."

EDITORS NOTES:
Link to a listing of State Canvassing Board members: http://www.sos.state.mn.us/docs/statewide_general_election_canvassing_board.pdf

Link to a listing of recount location information: http://www.sos.state.mn.us/docs/recount_designation_plan_november_12_at_2_pm.pdf

###

NRA jumps in for Coleman

Posted at 8:40 PM on November 12, 2008 by Tom Scheck (13 Comments)

The National Rifle Association sent an alert to its supporters today asking them to help GOP Sen. Norm Coleman in the recount effort. The NRA (which endorsed Coleman) sent out this release:

One of the more important U.S. Senate races in the nation is headed to a recount.

In this race, the choice for gun owners could not be clearer, as U.S. Senator Norm Coleman is a true friend of the Second Amendment and needs to be returned to Washington.

As you can imagine, the recount process is a Herculean effort that requires volunteers to assist, and to monitor the process to ensure it is fair and accurate.

I know I asked you to help Senator Coleman by volunteering for his campaign and voting for him on Election Day. But now, I must ask you to take one last step by assisting with the Minnesota Senate recount.

The Coleman for Senate campaign is looking for attorneys and non-attorneys to help with monitoring the counting of ballots at each location and various duties as needed. The actual counting will be done by the county auditor and each campaign has the opportunity to have an individual(s) observe to ensure the integrity of the process. Both Minnesota residents and non-residents are welcome to volunteer.

The recount process is expected to last approximately 20 working days. Volunteers are being asked to work a two-week commitment, Monday-Friday, from 7:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. The specific shifts are:

Monday, November 17 - Saturday, November 29
(Note: Still awaiting a decision on whether or not counting will occur on Friday, November 28.)

Saturday, November 29 - Saturday, December 13
(Note: If the recount is completed prior to Friday, December 12 volunteers will depart earlier.)

If you are a Minnesota resident, and you are not able to commit to the full recount effort, you can volunteer to work around your schedule and the campaign will make every effort to place you in your home or neighboring county.

Comment on this post